HOUSEHOLDERS in North Dorset could find themselves living in a whole new parish without even having to move as the council considers proposals for boundary changes.

Numerous parishes have put forward proposals for their boundaries to shift and take in additional properties.

But the move has sparked concern from some quarters that their existing parish serves them well and they see no benefit of change.

Others, however, felt a shift in boundaries would better the feeling of community and make council tax payments fairer.

This is the first boundary change in the area for around 21 years and among the most controversial to be put forward is that of Blandford who want their borders to include Blandford Camp, Blandford St Mary, Lower Bryanston and the Sunrise Industrial Estate. But councillors are being asked to consider Blandford's proposals separately and go out to further public consultation.

A working party has been considering proposals from Lower Winterborne, Bryanston, Child Okeford, Orchards and Margaret Marsh, Fifehead Neville, Ibberton, Iwerne Courtney and Iwerne Minster, Lydlinch, Stourpaine, Winterborne Clenston and Buckhorn Weston and Kington Magna Parish Councils.

In an agenda to go before councillors at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting, Cllr Peter Webb urges them to support those proposals where: "there is a demonstrable benefit to those directly affected by the proposed change".

The agenda proposes: "In the absence of clear benefits change will not be supported".

Councillors will be asked to make their recommendations on the proposed boundary re-definitions in order for further public consultation to take place. Any comments will come back before Cabinet and, once approved, the proposals will be submitted to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and in relevant cases the Electoral Commission, for final approval.

The proposals include incorporating the entire parish of Hanford into the Child Okeford boundary, to amend Lydlinch to include Bagber, combine Winterborne Clenston with Winterborne Stickland as well as smaller proposed changes by other parishes to take in individual neighbouring properties.

First published: February 2